ey came soon
afterwards she went to see Mrs. Parker, and she didn't like it because
she said she had been there two weeks ago and told her--I mean, Mrs.
Parker told me about--"

Cynthia stopped abruptly.

"Well, go on," said her father, impatiently.

Still Cynthia said nothing.

"Cynthia, will you continue? If not--"

"Oh yes, papa; though--but--well, Mrs. Parker told me that you were
going to marry again. And then when Aunt Betsey really went, Mrs. Parker
said, 'I told you so.' Aunt Betsey didn't like that, and when she asked
us if she had been here, of course we had to say no, and she was going
right back to tell Mrs. Parker what we said; so I had to confess, and,
of course, Aunt Betsey didn't like it, and she went right home that
day."

Mr. Franklin pushed back his chair from the table, and began to walk up
and down.

"I am perfectly astonished at your doing such a thing, and more
astonished still that Edith--"

"Papa, please don't say another word about Edith. She didn't want me to
go, and I would do it."

"Why have you not told me all this before?"

"Because, you see, I couldn't. I had heard that you were going to be
married, and I didn't believe it until you told me; at least--"

Cynthia paused and grew uncomfortably red.

"Poor child!" said Mrs. Franklin, smiling at her sympathetically. "It
must have been very hard for you."

"It was," said Cynthia, simply; "only you know, mamma, I don't feel a
bit so now. And then when you came home, papa, it was all so exciting I
forgot about it, and I have only thought of it once in a while,
and--well, I've been afraid to tell you," she added, honestly.

"I should think so! I am glad you have the grace to be ashamed of
yourself, Cynthia. Has no apology gone to Aunt Betsey?"

"No, papa."

"It is outrageous. The only thing to do is to go there at once. Jack,
get the _Pathfinder_."

The _Pathfinder_, boon of New England households, was brought, and Mr.
Franklin studied the trains for Wayborough.

"Hester, you had better come too. It is only proper that I should take
you to call on Aunt Betsey. Get ready now, and we will go for the day."

The Franklins were quite accustomed to these sudden decisions on the
part of their father, and Mrs. Franklin did not demur. She and Cynthia
hurried off to make ready, and the carriage was ordered to take them to
the station.

Cynthia's preparations did not take long. Her sailor-hat perched sadly
on one side, her hair t